Moving to Sweden for work: registering your move
Moving for an employed job and planning to stay at least a year? Check your registration route, prepare your documents and book an identity visit after arrival.
Who is this guide for?
This guide is for adults moving alone to Sweden for an employed job. It explains how to notify the authorities and prepare for your identity visit.
If you plan to live here for at least one year, you normally need population registration. Notify the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket), which decides whether you meet the requirements.
It covers two groups planning to live here for at least one year.
- Workers from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), except Nordic citizens.
- People already granted a Swedish residence permit for work.
Other routes, including family moves, jobseekers and Nordic citizens, are outside this guide.
Is registration the same as a residence permit?
Population registration (folkbokföring) records you as living in Sweden. It is separate from the rules allowing you to live and work here.
The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) explains right of residence for EU/EEA citizens. This means living here without a residence permit. For stays beyond three months, you must meet its requirements, for example through work.
If you have right of residence, you do not need to contact Migrationsverket. However, Skatteverket still needs evidence of that right when considering population registration.
For the permit-holder route, show your valid Swedish residence permit card. A permit does not automatically complete population registration.
What documents should you prepare?
EU/EEA employees can show an employment contract, employment certificate or similar evidence of paid work. Skatteverket’s worker checklist explains the details.
Your contract or similar document should have both your signature and your employer’s. It should normally include working hours, pay, the start date and your duties. Skatteverket may ask for more evidence.
Permit holders must also show why they intend to live in Sweden. A permit decision or employment contract can help show this. The permit-holder checklist explains what to provide.
Moving alone does not remove the need to record your civil status. If you are married or were married before, prepare evidence, such as a marriage certificate or divorce decision. If you have never married, you need no document proving your civil status.
Which address should you give?
Give the full address where you live and sleep. Include the apartment number, if there is one. If you stay with someone, give that person’s name too.
You can give a temporary address, such as a hotel. If you move while registration is pending, tell Skatteverket your new address and moving date. Put your name where your post is delivered.
How do you report the move?
Use Skatteverket’s Moving to Sweden service. You can submit your notification at the earliest 14 days before moving.
Follow the service’s instructions and upload the requested documents. Check your contact details and save the receipt. A service centre can help you use the service.
What happens at the identity visit?
Book an appointment at a selected service centre using the link on your receipt. Attend in person after arriving in Sweden.
Bring your original identity documents. If you have a Swedish residence permit card, bring that too. Hand over the documents for checking when asked. You receive them back after the check.
You can also hand in your notification during the visit if you have not submitted it digitally.
What happens next?
Skatteverket may contact you for more information and sends its decision by post. Check its current waiting-time notice. The estimate concerns assignment to an administrator, not a promised decision date.
First-time population registration gives you a personal identity number. Our identity-number guide explains that number and coordination numbers.
Where to get help
Contact Skatteverket about population registration, your address or documents. Use the linked nationality-specific checklist if your situation falls outside this guide.
